President Yoweri Museveni has called for stricter accountability in wealth creation programs aimed at reducing rural poverty. Speaking at a rally in Mitooma District on July 28, 2024, Museveni emphasized the importance of transparency in initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to ensure that benefits reach the intended recipients.
Museveni highlighted that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s ideology focuses on solving people’s problems through projects like agriculture-based wealth creation. He encouraged residents of Mitooma to engage in coffee farming to take full advantage of these opportunities.
During the same event, Museveni was joined by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, and the rally took place at Rwakitandara Playground in Ruhinda North County. This event followed a thanksgiving Mass for Tayebwa and his father, Daudi Bangirana, during the consecration of St. Karoli Lwanga Kigarama Catholic Parish, conducted by Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha of Mbarara Archdiocese.
At the rally, Museveni praised the local wealth generation projects and contributed Shs50 million to the Ruhinda North Women’s Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation.
Speaker Anita Among expressed appreciation for Tayebwa’s effective collaboration in Parliament and thanked President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni for their support of family values, which she believes has helped Parliament function smoothly.
Among requested Museveni to safeguard the Legislature and pledged to work together with the President to fulfill promises made to Ugandans.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa urged locals to capitalize on coffee farming to boost household incomes through agriculture. He noted the success of model coffee farmers in the area and called for subsidies on fertilizers. Tayebwa also mentioned that he had established nursery beds and had 35,000 coffee seedlings ready for distribution, contingent on identifying suitable arable land.
He acknowledged progress with the PDM program in his constituency but also reported instances of corruption. Tayebwa assured that those who misused the funds have been arrested, with more expected to face consequences.
Mitooma District Chairperson Benon Karyeija appealed to the President for support for the tea sector, citing concerns over the decline in tea plantations in the district.
The consecration Mass of St. Karoli Lwanga Kigarama Catholic Parish drew various dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, several ministers, and Members of Parliament.
